Age of a late bloomer

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Hello my Fellow Nurses:

Quick question: I am at odds of what I truly want to do in my life and that is to be a nurse. I have received my education in biology and a minor in Chemistry. I completed my internship under a great OB and couldn't wait to start reaching my goal. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to start due to financial hardships so I had to work in education on the operations side. Its good money but day in and day out, I know this is not where I belong and what I want to be. I am 30 and about to turn 31. I am nervous if by the time I fulfill my goal I will be 34. Is this too late for me. Am I too old to pursue nursing? I would love to hear your advice.

Thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

What kind of an "internship" did you complete? I'm just curious since it doesn't look like you have any clinical training at this point.

Regarding your primary question . .

Unless you win the lottery or have some other type of financial windfall, you will be working for at least another 30+ years after you graduate. That's sufficient payoff, don't you think? Hopefully, you are aiming for a BSN - can't tell by the information you have provided - because this gives you more options in terms of clinical settings.

Best of luck to you!

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I have contemplated this same question. I'm 35 and currently completing my pre-requisites. I have often wondered if I waited too late to pursue a nursing degree. I push forward because I have a passion for the work but I have flare-ups of doubt every now and again.

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I just turned 40 and have just two classes left of pre reqs and apply to my BSN program this Feb. I too was in your position a few years ago. I thought long and hard and talked to anyone I could and read on sites like this constantly. I finally made my decision to go for it after sooo many nurses I spoke with said "there is so much diversity and career options with becoming an RN - BSN."

This is my inspiration! That I am not pigeon holed into one thing for the rest of my working career. By the time I finish my BSN I will be 42 years old. Look into the future... What do you see your life being like?

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Specializes in NICU.

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao: There are numerous threads about the age of students starting nursing school. There are a lot of students on AN that started in their 40s, me included.

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/too-late-become-853714.html#post7508760

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/how-old-were-851421.html

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-stu...ts-833181.html

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You bring to the table 31 years of maturity over the 20 year old nurses. Patients want grown mature nurses all day everyday so your age is actually on your side in a way. No offense to the nurse college graduates straight out of high school!!! Good luck to you on your journey.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

I was 38 when I started.The oldest in my class was 51.I recently supervised a student for a shift because her preceptor was away.She is 59

.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am 37 and finishing my prereqs. I don't think you are ever too old to pursue your dreams.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Oncology.

For what it's worth, I am finishing my prerequisites and have applied to several accelerated BSN programs. I am 43. And let me tell you, in the open houses for these programs that I attended I was surprised to find that I was not, in fact, the "latest bloomer". Good luck with your decision!

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

I'm 45 and in my second semester of nursing school. I can't help but smile when people in their 20s and 30s want to know if it is "too late" for them or if they are "too old". Um, no — unless you think you are. There are people a decade and more older than me in my nursing program and they are doing just fine.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

You're never too old to pursue your dreams and you shouldn't let anyone discourage you. I'm 27 now and I wanted to complete school by the age of 25 but life got in the way. I think by the time it's all said and done I will be a little over 30 and I am perfectly fine with that. Good luck in whatever you decide OP!

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Specializes in Med-surg, home care.

I am older than you (33) and just started pre-reqs this year. Probably won't get into accelerated program until I am about 36 and won't finish nursing school until age 37. I feel old already! I am currently in another career for the past 8 years and although I played with the idea of becoming a nurse previously, I would not have been able to do required course work at the time due to family and financial reasons. Did two semesters of graduate course work (social work) but an experience with my youngest child in the hospital made me realize that not only would I prefer nursing but it would probably be a better fit for me than my previous goals. I am not getting any younger and life is short; that's how I see it. So with the support of my husband I am making the switch! Even if I become a nurse and find it is not for me, at least I gave it a shot.

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